A Humble Request (to Run Shirtless)

By Justin Hermann

I have experienced practices in 90 degree heat, and have heard stories from other students of worse temperatures during a practice. Shirtless only helps someone stay cool in higher temperatures. The pools of sweat formed when running make wearing a shirt more harmful than beneficial. Currently, our dress code rule is that shirt must be worn on the track, school grounds (fields and such owned by the district), and inside the school. If it is part of the school, you need to have a shirt. I like most of our school rules, and do not think the shirt rules should change too dramatically.

I know if it makes sense, it is almost never done in the real world… that makes too much sense, but every once in a while things that make sense do happen. Can our school see with rationality, know a 14 year old freshman can make their own decisions, and realize practicality over an old fashioned rule? Just amend the rule so while on the track, a shirt is optional. Why must a student wear a shirt on the track and other outdoor and outdoor school facilities when the weather permits?

According to athletic director Paul Ackley, “there is no certain dress code relating to sports,” only that students should wear what is appropriate to their individual sport: pads and helmets in football, spandex in volleyball, speedos in swimming, etc. Ackley does strongly encourage and support wearing a shirt at all times as well (at practice and in school). Complying with the current dress code for appropriateness (no explicit material, drug and alcohol references, etc.) is also part of the dress code for sports at McFarland High School.

We as students are young adults, if not already legal adults, and I hope we can all act like mature people and exercise in a comfortable manner like any normal person would. Be proud of your body. Wearing a sports bra is not inappropriate, it is just another normal article of clothing, and just as scandalous as a sock or hat.

In Madison on a nice day, there are thousands of people who are active without a shirt. Even in the small village of McFarland, on a nice day there are plenty of people being active without a shirt: playing frisbee, playing basketball, all sorts of activities are being done. Monona Grove, Lafollete, Sun Prairie, and cities around the area are all the same as well.

I honestly understand those who are for wearing a shirt during practice. It is a possibility that it can become uncomfortable for some people. I will admit I was once uncomfortable with exercising shirtless. Then I began to understand the culture behind it. I opened my eyes to something different to what I was accustomed to and left all prejudice behind. Somewhere, someone will always be uncomfortable--it is just a pitiful fact of life. Sorry if I sound callous, but if someone is uncomfortable viewing a young adult sensibly performing a physical activity who may or may not be wearing a shirt when the weather permits, then look away. Don’t ogle someone if you are uncomfortable, cast your glance at something else, perhaps try cloud watching.

Exercise in a healthy manner where you are comfortable. It is your body, and your right to exercise how you please, it is absurd to think otherwise. There is no pressure to do something you do not want to do; choices like this are optional, meaning you don’t have to do it.